JAMMU, Sept 21: The Meteorological (MeT) office said on Wednesday that partly cloudy sky with light rain at isolated places is likely during the next 24 hours in Jammu and Kashmir.
The weather was mainly dry in the union territory.
“Weather is likely to remain partly cloudy with light rain at isolated places in J&K during the next 24 hours”, an official of the MeT department said.
Srinagar had 15.2, Pahalgam 11.6 and Gulmarg 8 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.
Drass in Ladakh region had 8.9, Kargil 11 and Leh 7.7 as the minimum temperature.
Jammu had 25.1, Katra 22.8, Batote 15.7, Banihal 15 and Bhaderwah 15.8 as the minimum temperature. (Agencies)
Partly cloudy weather likely in J&K during next 24 hours: MeT
Modi was right, this is not time for war: French President Macron at UNGA
United Nations , Sept 21: United Nations French President Emmanuel Macron told world leaders at the UN General Assembly session that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was right when he told Russian President Vladimir Putin that this is not the time for war.
Mr. Modi, who met Mr. Putin last week on the sidelines of the 22nd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand, had told the Russian leader that “today’s era is not of war”.
“Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India was right when he said the time is not for war. It is not for revenge against the West or for opposing the West against the East. It is the collective time for our sovereign equal states to cope together with challenges we face,” Mr. Macron said during his address at the General Debate of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
“This is why there’s an urgent need to develop a new contract between the north and the south – an effective contract which is respectful for food, for biodiversity, for education. It’s no longer time for block thinking but to build a coalition of specific action to reconcile legitimate interests and common goods,” he said.
In Samarkand, Mr. Putin had told Mr. Modi that he knows his “position on the conflict in Ukraine and the concerns that you constantly express”.
“We will do our best to make it stop as soon as possible. However, unfortunately, the opposing side, the leadership of Ukraine, announced that it was abandoning the negotiation process and declared that it wants to achieve its goals by military means, ‘on the battlefield’, as they say. Nevertheless, we will always keep you informed of what is happening there,” Mr. Putin had said.
Reform of the UN Security Council
At the UNGA session on Tuesday, Mr. Macron expressed hope the international community can commit to the reform of the UN Security Council “so that it is more representative, welcome new permanent members and remain able to play its full role by restricting the use of veto in cases of mass crimes”.
In his address on the opening day of the General Debate, the French president said “there are countries that have chosen a form of neutrality vis-à-vis this war. Those who are saying that they’re non-aligned are wrong. They are making a historic error”.
“The combat of the non-aligned movement is a fight for peace. They fought for peace, the sovereignty of states and territorial integrity. Those who are keeping silent today are in a way complicit with a cause of new imperialism, a new order that is trampling over the current order, and there’s no peace possible here.”
“Russia is today seeking to uphold a double standard but the war in Ukraine must not be a conflict that leaves anyone indifferent,” Mr. Macron said. (Agencies)
After Chandigarh University Row, Protest Breaks Out at LPU in Jalandhar Over Student’s Suicide
Jalandhar (Punjab), September 21: A first-year student studying at a private university in Punjab’s Jalandhar has died by suicide, said the Punjab Police on Wednesday.
The incident took place on September 20 in the evening.
The police have recovered a suicide note from the spot which cited “personal reasons” for the act.
“We received info at around 5:30 pm on September 20 that a first-year student of B. Design at Lovely Professional University died by suicide. We reached the spot and recovered a suicide note which cited personal reasons,” said the Kapurthala Police.
Further investigation into the matter is underway.
The students gathered in large numbers last night inside the university campus to protest over the suicide of the first-year student.
The university issued a statement on the incident which said that it is extending full support to the authorities for further investigation.
“LPU fraternity is saddened by the unfortunate incident. The initial investigation by the Police, and the contents of the suicide note point towards personal issues of the deceased. The University is providing full support to the authorities for further investigation,” the statement said.
“The University mourns the loss of the student and expresses its condolences to the bereaved family,” it added. (Agencies)
Comedian Raju Srivastav dies after being on ventilator for over a month
New Delhi, Sept 21: Comedian Raju Srivastava died in Delhi on Wednesday at the age of 58, his family said.
Srivastava was admitted to AIIMS Delhi on August 10 after he experienced chest pain and collapsed while working out at the gym.
He underwent an angioplasty the same day.
Srivastava has been working in the entertainment industry since the late 1980s and received recognition after participating in the first season of the stand-up comedy show “The Great Indian Laughter Challenge” in 2005.
He has featured in films like ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’, ‘Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya’ and ‘Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon’ among others. (Agencies)
SIA conducts raids in J&K’s Bathindi in terror funding case
JAMMU, Sept 21: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday carried out raids in the Bathindi area of Jammu and Kashmir in connection with a terror funding case.
The raids are currently underway.
More details are awaited. (AGENCIES)
CS visits Jambu Zoo, inspects ongoing works
Jammu: Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta Tuesday visited Jambu Zoo at Nagrota and inspected the progress of ongoing works there.
An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that the CS was accompanied by Commissioner Secretary Forest Ecology and Environment, Sanjeev Verma; PCCF and Chief Wildlife Warden, Suresh Kumar Gupta; Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar; Regional Wildlife Warden, Wildlife Warden Jambu Zoo besides other concerned officers.
The Chief Wildlife Warden gave a detailed presentation on the works being carried out so far and those completed.
It was informed that the total area of the zoo is 163.40 Ha and around 70 percent of work on the project has been completed.
The Chief Secretary took a whirlwind round of the zoo area and inspected the completed part and the ongoing works. He visited various sites including Main Gate, Orientation Centre, Aviary, Leopard Enclosure, Tiger Enclosures, View Points, Sambar Enclosure, Black Deer enclosure, Brown deer enclosure, and parks.
He also sought other important details regarding the Jambu Zoo project including details of animals, and birds to be made part of this Zoo after its completion.
Mehta directed the concerned officers to closely supervise the works and expedite the ongoing work for the timely completion of this prestigious project.
Responding to the issue of water supply to the Zoo the Chief Secretary asked the concerned officers to take up the issue with the Jal Shakti department and ensure the completion of work on the dugwell at the earliest. He also issued directions for the development and blacktopping of internal roads so that the completed part of the zoo could be thrown open to the general public as soon as possible.
It was informed that the main attractions in Jambu Zoo are Asiatic Lion, Royal Bengal Tiger, Black Beer, Marsh Crocodile, and Black bugs. It will also have reptile chambers hosting the poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. The zoo will be one of the biggest in north India. It will also have an open amusement theatre and park for children. The zoo will have battery-operated cars and bicycles for the visitors to move around. The facility would be a major attraction for tourists coming to the city, as was revealed on the occasion.
Active Covid cases in country decline to 46,216
New Delhi, Sep 21: With 4,510 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India’s total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 4,45,47,599, while the active cases declined to 46,216, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.
The death toll climbed to 5,28,403 with 33 fatalities which includes 19 deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The active cases comprise 0.10 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate increased to 98.71 per cent, the ministry said.
A decline of 1,163 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.
The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year. It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year.(AGENCIES)
DC Doda Chairs 3rd Narco Coordination Committee meet
Directs all members to ensure concerted efforts to curb the drug menace with strict enforcement, Asks to keep inventory of sale of pshycotrophic drugs and installation of CCTVs in all medical stores across the district_
Doda, September 20:
Deputy Commissioner Doda Vishesh Paul Mahajan chaired the 3rd Narco Coordination Committee meet in the mini meeting hall of DC office complex Doda here today to take stock of the efforts made by the designated members against the drug abuse in the district.
The DC directed the forest department to ensure that all the wild cannabis grown in the forest areas and in the nearby locations of the forest shall be destroyed and to explore the possibility of alternative plantation replacing wild cannabis. Besides other departments including police and sub divisional administration was also directed to carry out joint destruction exercise by including PRIs and other stakeholders.
Further the education department was directed to organize Anti drugs anthem campaign vis a vis debate, painting and nukkad natak programs in all educational institutions of the district and all the winners will be felicitated accordingly at district level. Further, directed to prepare a good bunch of painters who shall paint the entire wall inside the DC office premises on the theme of drug abuse and to make anti drug pledge a daily routine in the morning assemblies across the schools of the district.
Regarding the sale of phscyotrophic drugs in the medical stores of the district the DC directed the Drug officer to submit the inventory of sale and purchase of these phscyotrophic drugs by the retail medical stores including wholesalers from 1st April to 30 September 2022, and directed to ensure installation of CCTV cameras in each medical store and to create a watsapp group of all the medical stores where each medical store operator will submit the prescription having the phscyotrophic drug mentioned on routine basis.
The DC stressed upon all the members to ensure proper implementation of the directions aiming at to curb the drug abuse in the district on priority. Besides, directed them to ensure wide publicity of the mission in every corner of the district.
The meeting was attended by SSP Doda Abdul Qayoom, ADC Doda Dr R K Bharti, ADC Bhaderwah Ch. Dil Mir, SDM Assar, SDM Gandoh, CMO Doda, CEO Doda, DSWO Doda, DIO Doda, Divisional Officer PCC, and other concerned officers.
Apni Party holds convention in Srinagar’s Sheher-e-Khaas
Srinagar: Apni Party on Monday organized a convention in the Baba Demb area of the city. Besides the party workers, the event was throngebyth men and women, mostly from the Habba Kadal constituency.
According to a press note, Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari in his speech reiterated his party’s demand for the restoration of statehood to J&K and political empowerment of its people.
He said, “Apni Party is committed to continually striving for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, and political empowerment of its people. We will not budge from what we have promised to our people. From the day of its existence, Apni Party has been committed to ensuring peace, prosperity, and the development of J&K, and political and economic empowerment of its people.” “We will keep striving for our goals, come what may,” he added.
Extending his gratitude to the participants, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that Apni Party is getting public support from each and every corner of J&K.
He said, “I warmly welcome you here. Your presence indicates that like in other parts of J&K, people in Srinagar city have trust in the Apni Party’s unambiguous agenda and its truthful policies. I am pleased to see the people in this city responding to Apni Party’s outreach program enthusiastically.”
He assured that Apni Party will not let down its people and will stick to the promises that it has made to the J&K people.
He said, “Apni Party assures a better future to the people of J&K. We have a clear vision and an unambiguous agenda for a better future for our people. Positive changes might take some time to occur. Nothing happens overnight. But I assure you that we will leave no stone unturned to ensure a better and a dignified future for the people of Jammu and Kashmir who have been grappling with the horrible situation over the past more than three decades.”
Taking dig at the traditional political parties, he said, “Unlike the traditional political parties, we do not believe in deceptive politics, nor do we offer fake promises to our people. We promise you only what we believe we can achieve for you.”
He further said, “The traditional parties and their leaders have been deceiving people over the decades by fake promises. These leaders have looted the resources and created empires for themselves and their families. And, they ensured common people remain in poverty and deprivation.”
He said that Apni Party is a people’s party, and it is devoted to guiding and serving the people.
He said, “It was Apni Party that ensured that no demographic changes occurred in J&K post-August 5, 2019. At the time when there was absolute uncertainty and chaos in J&K and people feared that after losing Article 370 and 35A they will lose their land and jobs as well, Apni Party took an initiative and met with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister in New Delhi and ensured a guarantee from them that only the J&K people will have their right on the agricultural land and jobs here.”
Emphasizing on restoring peace and tranquillity in J&K, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “J&K people need peace and tranquillity here for a better future. Only a peaceful environment will ensure the prosperity and development of this region and eventually economic and political empowerment of the people. Every one of us ought to contribute to a peaceful J&K.”
“We have lost too much due to the protracted conflict and bloodshed over the years. Enough is enough. We cannot afford the further loss of lives and destruction; thus, we need to ensure a peaceful full atmosphere here. Through a peaceful manner, we can achieve everything that matters to the people of J&K.” He added.
Apni Party President reiterated his promise to ensure economic dividends to the people of J&K if the party gets the people’s mandate in the forthcoming assembly polls.
He said, “We will give five hundred units of electricity free to the consumers of the Valley in winters and the same amount of free electricity to the consumers in Jammu during summers. And, 300 units free electricity to the people in Valley during summers and 300 units to the Jammu in winters.”
Besides Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari the prominent party leaders who were present at the event include Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir, Vice President Zaffar Iqbal Manhas, General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir, party’s youth wing president and Mayor Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Junaid Azim Mattu, Chairman DDC Srinagar Aftab Malik, Aftab Ahmad Malik, State Secretary Muntazir Mohiuddin, District President Srinagar Noor Mohammad Sheikh, Jeelani Kumar, Provincial President of party’s women wing Dilshada Shaheen, Mohammad Shafi Mir, Noor Mohammad, Khalid Badana, Peer Wajahat, Irfan Zargar, Tanveer Ahmad, Tanbeer Singh, Adil Ahmad, Meraj ud Din, Afroza Ji, Rafeeqa Ji, Hajra Ji, Masrat Ji, and others.
Mehbooba poisoning young minds in J&K for vested political interests: Ravinder Raina
JAMMU, Sept 20: Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina on Tuesday accused PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti of “poisioning young minds” for vested political interests after she objected to students being compelled to sing ‘Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram’.
The former Chief Minister had on Monday posted a video on Twitter in which school staff were seen asking students to recite the hymn, considered Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite bhajan, and termed it the Government’s real “Hindutva agenda”.
“Jailing religious scholars, shutting down Jama Masjid & directing school kids here to sing Hindu hymns exposes the real hindutva agenda of GOI in Kashmir,” the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief had said in the tweet.
Reacting to her remarks, Raina said she should avoid playing such politics by “poisoning the young minds”.
“Mahatma Gandhi united the whole nation by this bhajan during the freedom struggle. The school children also sing ‘lab pe aati hai dua banke tamanna meri… (my heart’s desire comes to my lips as a prayer) in their morning assembly and there was no objection from anyone,” Raina said.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a free medical camp organised by the party here under ‘Sewa Pakhwada’, he said some people deliberately create such controversies for their vested political interests.
“Mehbooba should avoid playing such type of politics. She has lost her ground in Kashmir and people of the Valley rejected her. She is coming out with such a conspiracy (to regain her place),” he said.
“This country belongs to all of us, the people of all faiths — Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and others. Mehbooba should read more often Allama Iqbal’s ‘mazhab nahin sikhata aapas mein bair rakhna’ (religion does not teach us to fight)…,” the BJP leader said.
On the reopening of cinema halls in Kashmir after over three decades, Raina quipped, “This is the beginning of a new era. Our youngsters in the Valley have only heard the sounds of bombs and bullets and are deprived of all entertainment available to their counterparts in other parts of the country.”
“The people will have an enjoyable experience with the opening of multiplexes,” he added.
Raina also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for declaring the last Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary on September 23 as an annual holiday.
He said the BJP is “working overtime” to resolve the issues in Jammu and Kashmir and the problems faced by daily wage workers. (Agencies)